| Serving people with HIV and AIDS in East Tennessee
Nancy's House is a not-for-profit agency helping people and families affected or infected by HIV and AIDS in Bradley, Polk, Meigs and McMinn counties of Tennessee. We provide support, advocacy, and educational services throughout our four-county region.
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| 1971 - 1995 |
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Nancy's Story
by Rachelle Barr
On June 24th Nancy Cardwell would have turned 37. Although she died in 1995, Nancy's dream of making a difference is a reality today at Nancy's House, as we continue to provide support and promote awareness for and about HIV/AIDS.
An honors graduate from Bradley Central High School, Nancy discovered she had HIV at a school-sponsored blood drive when she was only 17 years old. As she learned first hand how to live with her illness, Nancy began sharing her story with churches, schools, and youth groups.
At 16, Nancy did what most teenagers do. She got a car, found a job, and started dating. She and her boyfriend had unprotected sex, and they broke up before senior prom. Although AIDS and other STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) were mentioned in health class, Nancy didn't think she needed to worry about them.
"I wasn't a bad person, so how could it happen to me?" Nancy said in an interview at a local high school. "But it did."
After her diagnosis, Nancy realized that facing HIV required her to completely change her way of thinking. Instead of planning for a career, a husband, and children, Nancy began to value every moment. Rather than always looking into the future, Nancy learned to enjoy life one day at a time.
"I have to accept the fact that I don't have as much time as you do. I have to cram more into the time I do have. I feel rushed. I want to do everything."
Support from her family and close friends meant everything to Nancy. She believed that everyone affected by HIV and AIDS should receive the same kind of love and support. This dream birthed Nancy's House, through contributions from family and friends after her death. The stigma surrounding her illness never stopped Nancy from sharing her story and touching the lives of each person she met.
"I am not ashamed. People need to see that nice people like me get AIDS, and nobody deserves to get it at all."
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Our Mission
The mission of Nancy's House is to support and advocate for individuals and families who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS, as well as provide the community with accurate and appropriate HIV/AIDS education, to facilitate awareness, and to offer HIV testing.
Nancy's House is a non-profit organization committed to serving those who are infected/affected by HIV/AIDS in Bradley, McMinn, Meigs and Polk counties. All services, tests, and programs are provided FREE OF CHARGE.
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For More Information
Phone (423) 559-8592
Toll Free (800) 454-3316
Fax (423) 559-8559
Office Hours are M - F 9AM to 5PM.
Mailing Address:
Nancy's House
P.O. Box 5086
Cleveland, Tennessee 37320-5086
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All Nancy's House services are provided with complete confidentiality, at no cost and without regard to ethnic background, gender, physical limitation, race, religion, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.
We are a nonprofit agency with 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt status. Our funding is provided by federal Ryan White Care Act grants, the United Way of Bradley and Polk Counties and private donations.
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